Electric window washer improvement



June 30, 1964 1.. JAMES, JR

ELECTRIC WINDOW WASHER IMPROVEMENT 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Aug. 8, 1961 INVENTOR. Luvc ouv JA MESA/R- June 30, 1964 L. JAMES, JR 3,138,815

ELECTRIC WINDOW WASHER IMPROVEMENT Filed Aug. 8, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. Llucouv JAMESJR.

United States Patent "cc 1 Claim. (Cl. 15-103) This invention relates to an improvement in cleaning apparatus and more particularly to an improvement in a power operated cleaning device.

It is an object of the present invention to provide an improvement in a completely automatic and efiicient unit for effectively cleaning windows, panels, and various other types of material with a minimum of effort and in a simple and efficient manner.

Another object of the present invention is to provide an improvement in a completely safe window cleaning unit that will enable all types of windows to be cleaned from the inside of the enclosure so as to avoid any danger or discomfort during use.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improvement in an electric window washer of the above type that is completely portable, easily manipulated and can be conveniently used with a minimum amount of skill.

Other objects of the invention are to provide an improvement in an electric Window washer bearing the above objects in mind which is of simple construction, has a minimum number of parts, is inexpensive to manufacture and efficient in operation.

For other objects and for a better understanding of the invention reference may be had to the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an electric window washer assembly made in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged transverse cross sectional view taken along the lines 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a transverse cross sectional view taken along the line 3-3 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view with parts broken away of a cleaning roll forming a part of the present invention; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a stabilizer member forming another part of the present invention.

This invention relates to an improvement in cleaning devices and more particularly to power operated cleaning devices for windows of the type described in my previously filed application, Serial No. 765,397, filed October 6, 1958 and now abandoned for which this is a substitute application.

Referring now more in detail to the drawing and more particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, an electric window washer made in accordance with the present invention is shown to include a hand unit 10 in the form of a substantially hollow housing 12 having a handle 14 secured to the top wall thereof.

As is more clearly shown in FIGS. 2 to 4 of the drawing, a cylindrical cleaning roll 28 having a central core 26 is rotatably supported within the main housing 12, projecting outwardly slightly from the bottom thereof. A bushing 16 secured to one end of the main housing 12 rotatably supports a bearing 18 having a spindle 20 that is received within a socket formed in the rear end of the core 26. This spindle 20 is driven by means of a flexible drive shaft 24 that is enclosed within a casing 24, such flexible drive shaft 22 being rotated at high speed by an electric motor 34 supported within a portable housing 36 that is rollably supported upon a pair of wheels 38. This unit may be conveniently moved from place to place by 3,138,815 Patented June 30, 1964 the handle 40 to enable a large number of windows to be cleaned in different locations. The opposite end of the cleaning roller 28 is positioned by means of a similar spindle 39 extending into the core 26 and secured by means of a head 32 to the end of the housing 12 opposite from the bushing 16.

The motor 34 is energized by means of an electrical supply line 42 which may be conveniently inserted into any Wall receptacle. A switch 44 controls actuation of the motor 34, while another switch 46 controls operation of a centrifugal pump 47 that is operative to pump water from the storage tank 48 within the housing 36 through a supply line 50 that passes through a sleeve 54 with the flexible cable and empties into the interior of a cleaning fluid storage receptacle 58 Within the top of the main housing 12. This cleaning fluid storage housing is preferably of yieldable sheet material, such as rubber or vinyl plastic, and which is provided with outlet ports 60 that are adjacent immediately to the cylindrical cleaning roll 28. A stabilizer handle 62 having non-circular openings 64 at each end engage the sleeve 54 and prevent rotation thereof While the motor 34 is being run. Set screws 66 firmly secure the stabilizer handle 62 to the sleeve 54, whereby rotation of the flexible drive shaft 22 is allowed to rotate the cleaning roll 28 without effecting rotation of the outer casing 24 of the flexible drive shaft and the fluid supply line 56.

In actual use, the hand set 10 is carried in one hand by the handle 14, while the operator uses the other hand to hold the stabilizer handle 62. By closing the switches 44, 46, the cleaning roll 28 is rotated at a relatively high speed and the pump 47 supplies a cleaning fluid, which may be water, chemical, or a combination of both, through the supply line 56 to the interior of the compartment 58, from where it is discharged into engagement with the roll 28 through the ports 60. A storage tank 48 will ordinarily contain suflicient material for cleaning a large number of windows, following which it may be refilled through the filler cap opening 52.

In cleaning windows, the unit may be conveniently held while cleaning the outside of the windows, as well as the insides thereof from Within the building. In addition, the unit may also be used to clean upholstery, rugs, floors and the like simply by using different types of cleaning rolls 28 that may be selectively constructed of fabric, rubber, plastic and the like.

While various changes may be made in the detail construction, it shall be understood that such changes shall be Within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claim.

What I claim as new and desire to protect by Letters Patent of the United States is:

In an electric Window Washer having a cylindrical cleaning roll, drive means between said roll and a motor, and a drive shaft casing, the combination of a flexible drive shaft and a stabilizer secured to said drive shaft casing for preventing rotation thereof in response to rotation of said flexible drive shaft, said stabilizer comprising an essentially U-shaped handle, having non-circular openings extending through each end thereof, said non-circular openings being in longitudinal alignment with each other, slidably receiving said flexible drive shaft casing therethrough.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,550,187 Vara Aug. 18, 1925 1,929,345 Brown et al. Oct. 3, 1933 2,003,847 Woods June 4, 1935 2,073,903 ONeil Mar. 16, 1937 2,518,183 Renne Aug. 8, 1950 2,857,600 Sperka Oct. 28, 1958 

